A handful of historical authors brave the wilds of unusual settings and times to create distinctive, exciting novels just outside of the mainstream. Join us as we chronicle the trials and rewards of our quest--from research and writing to publication and establishing lasting careers.

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26 June 2011

Guest Blog: Anne Whitfield

This week, we're welcoming historical novelist, Anne Whitfield, as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, THE HOUSE OF WOMEN, published by Knox Robinson Publishing Ltd. It's available in the US and UK, in paperback and Kindle format. Anne is givng away a copy to a lucky blog visitor, so please be sure to leave a comment! Here's the blurb:

As the Victorian Age draws to a close, lonely and brokenhearted, Grace Woodruff fights for her sisters’ rights to happiness while sacrificing any chance for her own.

The eldest of seven daughters, Grace is the core of strength around which the unhappy members of the Woodruff family revolve. As her disenchanted mother withdraws to her rooms, Grace must act as a buffer between her violent, ambitious father and the sisters who depend upon her. Rejected by her first love and facing a spinster’s future, she struggles to hold the broken family together through her father’s infidelity, one sister’s alcoholism, and another’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy by an unsuitable match.

Caring for an illegitimate half-brother affords Grace an escape, though short-lived. Forced home by illness and burdened with dwindling finances, Grace faces fresh anguish –and murder– when her first love returns to wreck havoc in her life. All is not lost, however. In the midst of tragedy, the fires of her heart are rekindled by another. Will the possibility of true love lead Grace to relinquish her responsibilities in the house of women and embrace her own right to happiness?

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What inspired you to write The House of Women?I loved the idea of a large family all pulling different ways. With a selfish mother, a tyrannical father and seven daughters, the family was complex, but add to that a lost love, a heroic butler and a handsome stranger, well, the real fun began then!

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?I didn’t grow up wanting to be an author as such, though my mother says I was always scribbling at something. In high school was the first time I felt the need to create a story. It came about through an essay I had to write for English. (At the time I was living in England) We watched the movie, Kes, and then had to write an alternative ending. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the essay, which actually became a story in itself. I got AA+ and the highest result in class.

From there, I co-wrote with my best friend a story for Harlequin Mills & Boon. I was terribly homesick for Australia and I used to read a lot of books set in Australia. So, naturally, our romance was set in the Australian outback. We never finished writing the story, I think boys got in the way. A few years ago my friend found our story and sent it to me. It wasn’t that bad either!

After moving back to Australia in 1987, I didn’t think about writing at all. But I always had characters in my head and when doing mundane jobs I would create stories in my head to amuse myself.

Ten years later, 1997, while writing up family history information, I suddenly started typing the characters that spoke to me and my first historical novel began.

Do you have any writing rituals?I try to write between 9am and 3pm. After that it’s dinner and family time. I work weekends, which leaves me free to write during the week. I prefer writing in the morning, and can count on one hand how many times I’ve written at night. But I do need coffee to keep me going and if possible chocolate!

How do you come up with the names for your characters?I love names, and the old names of history can be so elegant.In The House of Women I had fun naming the seven daughters. Grace has always been a favourite, and my daughter is called Eleanor Grace. I do spend time on choosing the names, making sure they fit the character. I don’t like modern names being used in historical. I use my family tree information as an excellent source of period names.

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favourite authors? Why?I read a wide selection of books. I used to read a lot of historical women’s fiction by great authors such as Audrey Howard and Catherine Cookson, but now I read much more widely. I love historical fiction, especially medieval bio-fiction written by Elizabeth Chadwick and Sharon Penman. I also enjoy chick lit and biographies. Much of my reading is non-fiction research for my books, which I enjoy.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?Yes, I’ve just started writing my next historical. As yet, it doesn’t have a title, but the main characters, Charlotte and Harry, are there, demanding to be heard. It’s set in Yorkshire England again, about 1874. Aside of this new story, I have plenty of finished books waiting to be published. Stay tuned!

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?Readers can find my books in either paperback or ebook at all retail outlets like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc, or they can be ordered by any bookstores.

13 comments:

Na
said...

Thank you for the interview, very insightful. The House of Women sounds like such an intriguing read. I enjoy historicals, but it is Grace's plight that has piqued my interest. The element of spinsterhood, of first loves, second chances and tragedy sets the stage for an emotional read.

Anne, The House of Women sounds like a great read. The convoluted stresses of seven women in one house could make for an interesting tale, even without the butler and the handsome stranger. Grace sounds like a heroine we can empathise with and will be wanting to see her succeed and find happiness for herself and her family. You are very lucky to have lived in England and Australia and have those experiences to use as material for your books. It adds authenticity to your work.Congratulations. Great interview too. Thanks for sharing so much information about your writing life.

This sounds great! Historical fiction is my favorite and the plight of women is always intriguing and dramatic to read about, whatever the time period. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!candc320@gmail.com

This book sounds so interesting. I love the idea of seven women with one being the stregnth. I have started reading more historical novels. It is so fun to be transported back to that era. Thanks for the giveaway.jepebATverizonDOTnet